Final answer:
Commercial indicators are preferred to flower extracts as acid-base indicators due to their reliability, specific pH ranges for color change, and accuracy in determining the endpoint of a titration. Flower extracts, being natural indicators, can vary in composition and may not have well-defined pH ranges or consistent results.
Step-by-step explanation:
Commercial indicators are preferred to flower extracts as acid-base indicators because they are more reliable and have specific pH ranges at which they change color. Commercial indicators, such as phenolphthalein or thymol blue, are synthetic compounds specifically designed for use in acid-base titrations.
They have known pK values that correspond to the pH at the equivalence point of the titration. This allows for accurate and consistent determination of the endpoint of the titration.
On the other hand, flower extracts are natural indicators that can vary in composition and color depending on factors like soil pH or the specific flower species used. They may not have well-defined pH ranges at which they change color, making them less precise compared to commercial indicators.
Additionally, flower extracts may contain impurities that can interfere with the titration process and affect the accuracy of the results.